As of fall 2017, 31,057 students were enrolled, 22,376 at the Flagstaff campus.[7] The average cost of tuition and fees for a full-time, Arizona resident undergraduate student for two semesters is $11,059,[10] and out-of-state undergraduates pay an estimated $24,841.[11] NAU also participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program, which offers lower tuition rates for students from the Western United States. For 2017–18, WUE tuition and fees are $16,078.[12] NAU offers Flagstaff undergraduate students the Pledge Program, which guarantees the same tuition rate for four years.

According to the global university rankings published by Times Higher Education in 2018, NAU ranked among the top 500 universities in the world and in the top 10 percent worldwide for the frequency of citations of its research by other researchers. The
Center for World University Rankings places Northern Arizona in the top 2.9% of degree-granting institutions of higher education worldwide.

History

NAU's Old Main building located in the northernmost section of campus

Initially named the Northern Arizona Normal School, the institution opened on September 11, 1899, with 23 students, two faculty members—one, Almon Nicholas Taylor, who was also the school president—and "two copies of Webster's International Dictionary bound in sheepskin" as teaching resources.[13] The first graduating class, in 1901, consisted of four women who received credentials to teach in the Arizona Territory. In 1925, the Arizona State Legislature allowed the school, which was then called the Northern Arizona State Teachers College (ASTC), to grant bachelor of education degrees. In 1929, the school became Arizona State Teachers College at Flagstaff.[14]

Also in 1929, the
Great Depression struck the nation, and the ASTC found new meaning in community outreach. Rather than collapsing, the school endured through the depression. In fact, Grady Gammage, the school president at the time, described higher education as "a 'depression industry' that fared well in hard times." Despite financial difficulties, enrollment increased from 321 students to 535 students between 1930 and 1940, and graduate work was introduced in 1937.[15]

ASTC provided an education during economically trying times, often creating jobs to help students afford their education; they worked in the school-owned dairy farm, in the campus kitchen and dining hall, and as newspaper deliverers. The self-sufficiency of the college helped conserve monetary resources, and it was a major contributor to the local economy of the surrounding Flagstaff community, injecting almost a half million dollars in 1938.[16]

ASTC was known for its diverse student body and ethnic tolerance. In fact, the first Hopi to receive a college degree was Ida Mae Fredericks in 1939.[16] Students came from rural farms, mining families, the East Coast, and points between. During the depression, lots of fraternities and clubs sprang up, reflecting the diversity of background and interests.

Enrollment dropped sharply at the beginning of World War II, dropping to 161 in 1945.[17] During this time, ASTC became a Navy
V-12 program training site.[18] However, the end of World War II brought increased enrollment as returning veterans returned to continue their education.

The end of the war also expanded programs beyond teaching degrees, especially in the fields of art and science. To reflect this growth, the school changed its name to Arizona State College at Flagstaff in 1945 and, in 1958, became Arizona State College after the former Arizona State College at Tempe became
Arizona State University. Also in 1958, the Forestry Program was introduced. With further growth over the next two decades, the Arizona Board of Regents granted Arizona State College university status as Northern Arizona University in 1966.[14]

Campuses

Flagstaff campus

Perched at 6,950 feet (2,120 m)
above sea level, and one of the highest-elevation four-year college campuses in the country, the main campus is surrounded by the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world[19] and enjoys a four-season climate, with an average annual snowfall of 260 inches. Winter skiing is accessible at
Arizona Snowbowl, an alpine ski resort located on the
San Francisco Peaks, 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Flagstaff,[20] ranked the third best college town in the United States by the American Institute of Economic Research in 2017.[21]

NAU offers 93 baccalaureate programs, 51 master's degree programs, and 14 doctoral programs, along with 49 undergraduate and 30 graduate certificates. In 2006, the Arizona Board of Regents directed the university to develop innovative ways to provide access and affordability to all Arizona residents. NAU developed the Pledge Program and 2NAU partnerships with community colleges and NAU–Yavapai, a collaboration with Yavapai College in Prescott Valley, Arizona. NAU–Yuma, a quarter-century partnership with Arizona Western College, is nationally recognized as a model community college/university effort.

Statewide campuses, NAU Online and Personalized Learning

In addition to the more than 22,000 students who study on the Flagstaff campus, NAU currently serves another 8,000 students online and statewide. NAU offers 99 online accredited degree programs at statewide campuses.

NAU is the first public university to offer a competency-based online degree program that allows students to earn credit for experience. Personalized Learning, launched in 2013, is an online, competency-based degree path. The program offers students access to a high-quality, self-paced, affordable college education. The program has a flat fee for a six-month subscription, and federal financial aid is available. This subscription allows students to access all course material for programs, and students have the flexibility to complete as many courses as they can throughout their six-month subscription. As of March 2018[update], NAU offers Personalized Learning degrees in computer information technology, liberal arts, management, small business administration, and nursing. The cost of a six-month subscription is $3,750 for the RN to BSN (nursing) program and $3,000 for all other programs.

In the fall of 2017, the top undergraduate academic degree plans by enrollment were Biomedical Sciences, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Nursing, Nursing – Option for Registered Nurses, Mechanical Engineering, and Elementary Education.[7]

College of Arts and Letters

The College of Arts and Letters (CAL) houses the Asian Studies Program, Cinema Studies, Comparative Cultural Studies (formerly Humanities, Arts, and Religion), English, History, Latin American Studies, Modern Languages, Museum Studies, Philosophy, School of Art, School of Music, and Theatre. The college also oversees the NAU Art Museum, Martin-Springer Institute (promoting lessons of the Holocaust), Northern Arizona Writing Project, Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, and Ashurst Hall. The College of Arts and Letters Film Series has provided quality classic films to the NAU and Flagstaff community for a decade, and has recently established the NAU International Film Series. CAL is also home to NAU's highly regarded doctoral program in Applied Linguistics. Department faculty and students share their scholarly work and artistic achievement through more than 300 performances, lectures, films, and exhibitions annually.[32]

College of Education

The College of Education prepares educators, counselors, school psychologists, and school and higher education leaders. Fields of study include teaching and learning (e.g., early childhood, elementary, and secondary), educational leadership, educational psychology, and educational specialties (e.g., bilingual and multicultural education, career and technical education, educational technology, and special education).[33]

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

The College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences includes 10 departments, 30 high-tech labs, and seven centers and institutes.

College of Health and Human Services

NAU's College of Health and Human Services comprises the School of Nursing, Health Sciences, Dental Hygiene, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Physical Therapy, Athletic Training—and the Occupational Therapy and Physician Assistant School based at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus (PBC) in Phoenix, Arizona.

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) undergraduate programs include Anthropology, Applied Indigenous Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Planning and Recreation, Politics and International Affairs, Psychological Sciences, Communication Studies, Sociology, Social Work, and Women's and Gender Studies.[34]

The W.A. Franke College of Business

The W.A. Franke College of Business's primary focus is undergraduate education, but it also offers master's level education and research opportunities. Businessman Bill Franke's commitment of $25 million resulted in the renaming of the college in his honor. The W. A. Franke College of Business was fully re-accredited in fall 2008 by the national accrediting body, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—AACSB International . NAU's program is one of about 500 accredited programs among the more than 1,000 throughout the nation. In 2006, the college moved into a new, 111,000-square-foot (10,300 m2), LEED-certified building.[35]

Graduate College

The Graduate College offers programs in fields such as biotechnology, health, business, environmental and sustainable systems, and teaching. It offers 51 master's degrees, 14 doctoral degrees, and more than 30 graduate certificates, both in-person and online.[36]

Former Colleges

University College

University College was a portal for students to make efficient, informed decisions about pursuing academic paths. Undergraduate students automatically became a part of University College when admitted to Northern Arizona University. Various programs, resources, and support included academic transition programs, the First Year Learning Initiative, and the Bachelor of University Studies degree program.[38]

Residence halls

Northern Arizona University has 21 residence halls on its Flagstaff campus.[39]

NAU Partner Housing by American Campus Communities

Rising juniors and seniors currently living on campus have priority leasing status for university-partnered housing located on campus.[42] These halls are located on the NAU campus but are operated by American Campus Communities: The Suites, Hilltop Townhomes, and Skyview.[46]

Athletics

Student-athletes compete at the inter-varsity level in football (men); volleyball, soccer, golf, and swimming and diving (women); and basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, and tennis (men and women). The university participates in 15 intercollegiate sports programs.[47] NAU teams compete at the
Walkup Skydome, a multipurpose building providing facilities for football, basketball, indoor track and field, soccer, weight lifting, lacrosse, student recreation, major concert events, commencements, intramurals, and a variety of other university and community activities.[48]

The Rolle Activity Center provides physical education classrooms and contains courts for recreational and varsity sports, including NAU's volleyball team, with seating for almost 1,100. The building is named after Joseph C. Rolle—“Mr. Lumberjack” in 1989. Rolle played basketball from 1937 to 1941, served as student body president, and received a BA in 1941 and MA in education in 1950 from Arizona State College of Flagstaff. He later earned an EdS from Columbia University and then worked at NAU for 36 years in positions ranging from bookstore manager to Dean of Students and Dean of University Services.[49]

The Wall Aquatic Center in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex is one of the finest high-altitude swimming facilities in the world.[50]

In 2016 and 2017, the Lumberjacks won the
NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship.[51] The 2017 repeat title closed out a perfect season with a 53-point victory, placing five athletes in the top 40. The victory was the lowest score (74) at the NCAA Championships since 2014, and the Lumberjacks became the first repeat champions since 2013-14.[52] Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Michael Smith earned the Bill Dellinger Award as National Men's Coach of the Year and also picked up both the Big Sky's Men's and Women's Coach of the Year awards. In track and field, Smith was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Mountain Region Women's Indoor Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2018.

Because of its high elevation, NAU's facilities are sometimes used for
altitude training by Olympic and elite-level endurance athletes.

On-campus activities

NAU has more than 400 recognized professional, academic, service, and social organizations; an intramural sports program; The Lumberjack student newspaper; and active residence hall organizations.[56]

Student-Run Media

In the Social and Behavioral Sciences’ School of Communication, the Media Innovation Center (MIC) hosts several immersive learning programs where students practice journalism and filmmaking in real-world settings. The center encourages the use of innovative technologies in journalism, giving students up-to-date, professional experience.

The Lumberjack

Students can work at TheLumberjack, covering news of NAU and the region for Jackcentral.com and social media, and a print edition circulated throughout Flagstaff. The student-run newspaper is more than a century old and has numerous journalism awards to its credit.[57][58]

The MIC sports team is a multi-media organization allowing students to cover sports across Arizona for TV, online, social media, and print.

UTV 62, NAZ Today, UTV62, and MIC Sports

Through UTV Studios, students produce short films and two student film festivals during each academic year. UTV 62, a student-run cable channel, operates 24 hours daily, seven days a week on campus channel 62.

Students also produce NAZ Today, which is broadcast on cable television throughout Northern Arizona. It is the only local newscast in the region. In 2018, NAZ Today received national recognition from the Broadcast Education Association for "
best student television newscast produced more than four days weekly." Students in NAU's Strategic Communication program publish NAZ Today stories on Facebook and Twitter, and maintain the show's website.

KJACK (KLJXLP, 107.1 FM) is an FCC-licensed radio station that gives students hands-on learning of the basics of radio and broadcasting. In addition to popular and alternative music, KJACK students provide live sports broadcasts, talk shows, and news.

NAU's televised news program, NAZ Today, airs Monday through Thursday in Flagstaff on NPG cable channel 4; formerly, it also aired on UniversityHouse (Dish Network channel 9411) until it folded. Since the shutdown of Channel 2 news in August 2008, NAZ Today is now the only TV news source for the Flagstaff area.

Members of the MIC sports team cover sports across Northern Arizona for various media platforms in the MIC. Students also cover Baseball Spring Training and other major sporting events in Phoenix.

Recreation services

The NAU Recreation Center was remodeled in the fall of 2011, creating the NAU Health and Learning Center in its place. Features include an indoor jogging track, a 38-foot climbing wall, a large weight room, a multipurpose gym, a cardio theatre, and 123,000 square feet of recreation opportunities. The Health and Learning Center also includes all of the on-campus medical services (previously housed in the Fronske Health Center), a pharmacy, and the offices for Disability Resources on campus. It also features the only escalator in all of Northern Arizona.[59]

Intramural and club sports

More than 30 competitive and recreational intramural opportunities in individual and team sports are available.[60] Also, more than 40 sports clubs are classified as either competitive or recreational/instructional, including baseball, rugby, soccer, ice hockey, lacrosse, Quidditch, disc golf, kendo, mixed martial arts), and water polo.[61]

Movies and other events

Unions and Student Activities offers many services and events for the campus community, such as movies and the popular Friday night AfterHours program produced by
Sun Entertainment. SUN also presents concerts, comedians, free movies, trivia nights, dodgeball, and many other special events each year. The
College of Arts and Letters presents classic films every Tuesday night during the school year and more than 400 music and theatrical performances, lectures, films and art exhibitions annually.

Lopez Lomong, South Sudanese-born American track and field athlete and Olympian

Professional sports

The
Arizona Cardinals of the
NFL conducted their summer training camp at Northern Arizona University's Flagstaff campus for many years until 2013.[62] The Cardinals left Flagstaff to conduct their camp in Glendale in 2013.[63] Beginning in 2014, NAU entered into partnerships with the
Phoenix Suns and the
Phoenix Mercury of the
NBA and
WNBA respectively.[64]